Atleast 500 physically challenged persons from different destitute homes and street beggars were yesterday empowered by a foundation, Joy and Compassionate Love International Foundation, in the spirit of Christmas .
The event which took place at Blitz entertainment centre, Ezeiweka road, Awada Obosi, Idemili North
Local Government Area, Anambra State, attracted
Catholic Priests who are Chaplains of the Foundation and various schools of disabled homes in Anambra and neighbouring states.
Others were destitutes from Upper Iweka Onitsha, Enugu, Delta, Ebonyi, Benue and Cross River States.
Beggar gate crashers benefited as well from the empowerment that included, cash, clothes, rice, detergents, among others after they were feted with cooked food and drinks.
Speaking to newsmen, the founder and director of the Foundation, Sister Theresa Odinaka Okpala, disclosed that she was inspired by God to establish
the Foundation, stating that her aim was to alleviate the sufferings of the down trodden in the society.
She traced the history of the Foundation in 2002 stating that it has been able to award scholarship to 35 students even as house rents are being paid for windows and less privileged ones.
She noted that God has been faithful to her since she started the Foundation.
In his speech, Chief Stephen Obasi, the Foundation Chairman, stated that through his contributions in the Foundation, God has been blessing him, pointing out that giving out is better than receiving.
The secretary of the Foundation and also the organizing committee Chairman of 2020 Christmas for the poor, Mr. Afam Ezechukwu, praised God for the success of the event, attributing progress of the
Foundation to communal collaboration.
He lamented the yearly increase in the number of destitutes and attributed it to economic down turn now ravaging the country stating that they were not discouraged by the increase.
Among the special schools who benefited at the occasion included; St.Joseph’s Inclusive Orifite, Special education center Umuchu, Devine Mercy home Ozubulu, Special Students from Unizik Awka, Accident Special Education centre Isulo, Sisers for Needy, Niger Street Fegge, Onitsha ,amongst others.
Drama, special dancing, and cutting of Foundation cake formed high points of the event.
